Highly prized former Greater Western Victoria Rebels export Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will make his much anticipated AFL debut for Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
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He will line up against Sydney Swans.
The Bulldogs secured him with the number one pick from Oakleigh Charges in the national draft last year.
Ugle-Hagan, who grew up at Framlingham, was picked up by the Rebels program from South Warrnambool.
He played with Rebels under-16 development squad and four games in the NAB League under-18 competition as a 16-year-old before moving to Melbourne.
Ugle-Hagan has spent all season with Footscray in the VFL.
He did not football last year owing to coronavirus restrictions.
The youing forward replaces the concussed Aaron Naughton.
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Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has constantly fielded questions about Ugle-Hagan and when the club's young gun will play.
Beveridge has been eager to protect Ugle-Hagan, who has been compared with Swans superstar Lance Franklin, from added scrutiny.
"That's my drive to protect our players and Jamarra, as a young Indigenous man who's been involved with our club for a while now," Beveridge said in May.
"I obviously got a little bit testy after the game because it is an ongoing commentary and I suppose I'm sensitive to continuing to talk about Marra.
He will be the Bulldogs' sixth debutant this year, joining Anthony Scott, Lachie McNeil, Jordon Sweet, Buku Khamis and Riley Garcia.